India warming to IPI?

NEW DELHI, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Lingering issues over Indian involvement in the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline are easily resolved, said the Indian energy minister.

Islamabad and Tehran signed a bilateral deal for the proposed 1,724-mile IPI natural gas pipeline earlier this year. Pakistan would receive 750 million cubic feet per day from the South Pars gas field in Iran to generate electricity under the terms of a 25-year deal.

India's role in the project remains in doubt and security along the proposed pipeline route creates additional obstacles to the project. Western nations oppose the project because of the Iranian role.

A delegation from New Delhi met officials from the Turkmen government in September to discuss the terms of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline, a rival Western-backed option.

Indian Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, however, told the Asian Age newspaper that differences over gas custody and transit fees for IPI could be handled.

"These issues can be resolved easily but the main issue is delivery the point," said the minister.

Deora said talks on IPI could resume as early as next week.